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BRIARD |
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In many areas
of the world, the large flock-guarding dog was partnered with a small
herding dog. In England, after extermination of the wolves, the giant
flock guard was not needed, and smaller herding dogs became the norm (an
exception being the Old English Sheepdog). But in continental Europe,
the demand was for a large herding dog that offered protection for the
sheep, as well as controlling the flock. This type has been established
since the Middle Ages, probably stemming from Oriental sheep-herding dogs
with crosses to local guarding breeds for size and aggression.
In France this
combination created the Bri-ard, an old breed told about in legends. Among
the many versions of an ancient tale, Aubry of Montdidier was murdered,
with the only witness being his dog. The dog followed the killer, haunting
his footsteps continually, making the man's life a misery. The king, being
made aware of the situation, ordered a duel between the dog and the accused.
(Trials by combat, even with animals, were known to occur in the Middle
Ages.) The dog avenged his master's death.
Aubry's dog
(in French, chien d'Aubry) was a dog of Briard type, and this is
a probable source of the breed's name, although it could also be a derivative
of the French region of Brie.
Charlemagne
gave braces of Briards to friends, and Napoleon so relied on the breed
that he took them with him on his military campaigns. Thomas Jefferson
added his name to the list of their admirers and imported several dogs
to aid the American farmer. Lafayette requested that Briards be sent to
him at his American estate.
he Briard is
fearless and never timid, hardy and alert and possesses acute hearing.
These attributes led the breed to gain a reputation as a noteworthy dog
in combat, and to be named the official dog of the French army. The Briard
Club of America recounts how these dogs carried supplies to the front
lines, served as sentries and found the wounded. Their thick weather-protective
coat and sturdiness enabled them to carry machine gun ammunition belts,
wrapped around their bodies, to the gunning emplacements. They knew instinctively
which soldiers required care and which would not survive. "It was
said that any man the Briard passed by was beyond assistance." American
soldiers were impressed with the breed, and it wasn't long before the
dogs followed the "dogfaces" home.
The Berger de
Brie, commonly known as the Briard, and the Berger de Beauce are closely
related, with the coat being the major dissimilarity. Both these breeds
sport an unusual ear crop, giving them a distinct appearance even today.
The ear is shortened and rounded at the tip. The hair on the Briard cascades
down off the upright ear, blending into the heavy beard and brows. Both
breeds have a "crochet" hook at the end of the tail, which is
carried low at rest. The Briard standard, as opposed to those of most
breeds, requires the retention of the unusual double rear dewclaws. The
best workers were reputed to be those with the extra rear toes, called
"bastard fingers" in France.
Personalities
are varied: clowns, teases, show-offs, gentlemen, or the "reserved
philosophers." Their coarse double coat requires a thorough brushing
weekly to remove dead, matting hair and tangles. Their movement is powerful
and agile, likened to "quicksilver." They love being outdoors,
and some prefer to lie in a snow drift. Briards are protective of their
homes, stock and people. Socialization for the young pup is suggested.
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